Festival of LightsThe 20th Annual Riverside Festival of Lights on Main Street Riverside is your chance to experience the most dazzling holiday spectacle south of the North Pole. The Festival offers five weeks of holiday merriment in Downtown Riverside from November 23 to January 5, celebrating the season with family activities that include holiday decorations and lights on The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa, Mission Inn Avenue and on City-owned buildings; the Inland Empire’s first outdoor ice skating rink; horse-drawn carriage rides; holiday-themed vendors; family-friendly live entertainment; and of course, Santa Claus. Learn more…

Spark of Love Toy Drive & Metrolink Holiday Toy Express TrainThe City of Riverside Fire Department will once again join KABC 7 for the 20th annual Spark of Love Toy Drive. There are two great ways to participate in the toy drive this year. On Wednesday, December 19 from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. bring a new, unwrapped toy or sporting good to donate at the ice skating rink on Main Street Riverside between University and Mission Inn Avenues and receive a free skating session ($10 value, valid Monday thru Thursday, excludes skate rental). Santa’s glittering train, the Holiday Toy Express®, is preparing to travel from city to city to entertain families and collect toys for the less fortunate. The Holiday Toy Express® will be stopping at the La Sierra Metrolink Station (10901 Indiana near La Sierra Avenue) on Saturday, December 22 at 5 p.m. Bring a new, unwrapped toy or sporting equipment to donate to the Spark of Love Toy Drive at this family fun event!Learn more…

Home for the Holidays Pet Adoption EventGive a dog or cat a forever home for the holidays with an adoption fee of only $20 (includes spay/neuter, microchip and vaccinations) on Friday, December 14 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the breezeway in front of Riverside City Hall (3900 Main St., Riverside CA 92522). Adoptions are first come, first served and granted to approved homes. License fee for dogs not included. Donate a $20 gift card from a local retailer for the Riverside Firefighters’ Spark of Love Toy Drive in lieu of the $20 pet adoption fee.Learn more…Holiday HappeningsEleven festive events will happen all over the City of Riverside throughout the week. Youth and adults can visit with Santa, have breakfast, dance, and create holiday crafts at events including a Gingerbread House Workshop, Jingle Bell Rock Show, visit with Mr. and Mrs. Claus, Feliz Navidad Social and Santa’s Workshop. Activity fees vary per site. Learn more…

The NutcrackerBRAVA Productions is proud to present David Allan's The Nutcracker with special guests, San Francisco Ballet Principal Dancers Sarah Van Patten and Pierre-François Vilanoba. The production will be held at the Landis Performing Arts Center (4800 Magnolia Ave., Riverside, CA 92506) on Saturday, December 15 and Sunday, December 16 at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Learn more…